1. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish Youth Protection Guidelines for all church programs and ministries to guard against all forms of child abuse. In all programs and ministries, we seek to provide an environment that reflects the Christian characteristics of love and respect.
2. Applicability
This policy applies to all church paid staff and volunteer staff who provide services or support to Community Lutheran Church, its programs, or its ministries.
3. Definitions
By definition, child abuse is harm to a person under the age of 18 that occurs immediately or through accumulated effects over a period of time. This policy is directed at three forms of child abuse caused by commission of acts against a child - emotional abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse.
Emotional abuse is defined for this policy as any language directed toward a child by an adult that is intended to cause emotional anxiety, pain, or other severe emotional disturbance.
Physical abuse is defined for this policy as the bodily injury of the child through physical contact or mistreatment.
Sexual abuse is defined for this policy as any sexual activity between a child and an adult or between children where there is an unusual distribution of power such as when one is significantly older or larger.
4. Youth Protection Policy Guidelines
Registration. All paid staff and volunteers staff will complete a written application to serve in a particular area of ministry. Applications for paid staff and volunteer staff working with children shall include questions related to charges against the applicant in the area of child abuse. Such applications shall also include a request for personal and/or professional references. References shall be checked and verified.
Two-deep leadership. Two adult leaders (paid and/or volunteer staff) or one adult leader and a parent of a participant, both of whom must be 21 years of age or older, are required for all scheduled activities, trips, retreats, or outings.
No one-on-one contact. One-on-one contact between volunteer staff and children is not permitted. Personal conferences between volunteer staff and child(ren) must be conducted in plain view of others.
Community Lutheran Church recognizes and duly authorizes only ordained and rostered clergy who have been called by this congregation to conduct personal and private conferencing with youth.
Respect for privacy. Adult leaders (paid and volunteer staff) must respect the privacy of children such as going to the bathroom and changing clothes. They must also protect their own privacy in similar situations.
Appropriate attire. Proper clothing for activities is required.
Constructive discipline. Discipline should be constructive and reflect the church's underlying values. Corporal punishment is never permitted.
Adherence to these policies not only enhances the protection of our membership, but also ensures that the basic values of our church are preserved.
5. Reporting Requirements
Anytime you observe or suspect child abuse, you should report it immediately to a Pastor or the Council President.
After an appropriate and thorough investigation by the Pastor and/or Council President, the Pastor and Council President should take appropriate action. Disciplinary action shall be taken only by Council action, but any individual found to be in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, including permanent separation from Church youth activities.
Investigations will be conducted on a confidential basis wherever possible. Procedures for investigations may be found in the Youth Protection Procedure Guidelines.
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